Fujifilm has announced the X-S1 high-end superzoom and confirmed its intention to build a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The X-S1 is an addition to the company’s X-series and is built around the same 2/3” EXR CMOS sensor as the recently announced X10. Meanwhile, company president and CEO Shigetaka Komori said it will create a mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera built around a larger sensor with ‘resolution and low noise [that] will surpass the 35mm full size sensor.’ We’re not taking this to mean it will be a full-frame camera. More details will be announced nearer the Spring 2012 launch. The X-S1 features a 26x, 24-624mm equivalent F2.8-5.3 zoom and will be available from early 2012. (via DCWatch)

Canadian Fuji representatives, using the Twitter account '@fujiguys' have added:

'Fujifilm X Series Interchangeable lens system not = M4/3 nor current mirrorless cams. X series will be "premium" cameras!.'

All the comments about how ugly the new X-S1 is are ridiculous! I've never bought a camera for how it looks, but rather for how it works! With its new sensor, this camera has the potential to raise the bar for image quality in the SuperZoom class. If it does, who cares how it looks? Unfortunately, it appears that audio quality in video mode is not a priority (not that any of the superzooms are great in this respect, but the new FZ150 is decent), as the microphones are largely hidden behind plastic, with only 5 tiny holes allowing sound to each of the mics. Can you say "poor frequency response"?But it's primarily a photo camera, and in that respect, its potential is quite interesting, ugly or not.

We'll wait and see. Image quality through the zoom range is a question as isthe shutter lag which seems to be inherent in bridge cameras. If Fuji can overcome these with images of their usual outstanding color, this camera could be a marketplace. What would be the real kicker is to put an interchangeable lens on this compatible with their "new" system (presumed to be a rangefinder type) so that a user could not only have a choice of lenses but on bodies. At least they're not using a toy sensor or some other dead end technology like m43.

Fuji should get their act together with the X100 before hawking these new models around,My five month old X100 is on its way back to Fuji to have sticking blades repaired along with god knows how many others!!!!

I like the sensor size as this is usable (I have the Olympus XZ1 which I carry everywhere and this gives a good blow up quality from a 7.89 x 5.81mm sensor size (this one is 8.8x6.6mm).This will make a good all in one travel camera when an SLR is too much to carry. I just hope that there is a good resolution in the electronic viewfinder as the manual focus and zoom ring will need this. I certainly will be buying one if the viewfinder is good. I hate the current crop of mirrorless SLR style cameras which look like you are peering into minestrone soup!!

A DSLR with a 400mm f5.6 lens (zoom lens or not) will be much larger in size. And you don´t need to change lenses either. All in one package. So I can understand why people get their interest in this one.

For those who travel, this can be a versatile camera without requiring you to lug additional lenses and swap them constantly.

So, if it has a good GPS-tagging implementation, it would be something I can get to replace my Sony HX100v (which has a poor GPS implementation -- GPS has to lock anew every time you turn on the camera -- so it's useless for quick travel shots).

Plus it has a larger sensor, so hopefully there will be less of a watercolor effect at larger magnifications.

i have used DSLRs (canon 7D 60D 1000D 1100D) and the fuji HS10 (witch is a not as good version of this) and the "bridge" camera is so good on travel light weight amazing staiboliser(sorry its 4AM here) feels so good with the real zoom ring and focus! and never needing to invest more in lenses dude come on! this is such a good camera and as and idia i think it is amazing to guve DSLR countrol and qualty in a package that can be used PAS simpe

Hopefully this will overcome some of the limitations of the S200EXR. In EXR modes the DR or noise are excellent depending on which EXR mode is selected, but fine detail is blurred even in 12MP mode.The HS10 and HS20 extended the zoom but went to a smaller sensor than the S200EXR, so I've been thinking of going to DSLR.The X-S1 might tempt me to stick with Fuji, but it will need to be priced right, and offer a significant improvement in IQ over the S200EXR in all modes.When I bought the S200EXR it wasn't a great deal cheaper than an entry level DSLR, and it starts to get a bit shaky at full zoom without a tripod or higher ISO although it's not a 'super zoom'.I occasionally make some quite large prints, so it's a shame the X-S1 sensor is only effectively 6MP in EXR mode. Put the 16/8MPixels EXR of the HS20 on a large sensor, with a reasonable zoom, and you've just about got my ideal all-in-one.

i have purchased sony dsc hx100v digital camera with 30x zoom and 16 mp, now i have noticed sony a290y with 2 lens camera, is my camera 100v is better then a290y, my use is not too much.........pl suggest

I really hope this live view 2/3 sensor delivers at 6mp in the 2 exr modes, 24-620mm with fast glass would be a dream with all that room around the manual focus and manual zoom rings. Velvia, Provia and Reala modes roll off like film, a huge bonus. I hate waiting, so much promise, too much anticipation - lol.

This camera is rather ugly compared to it's two gorgeous family siblings. I hope they at least change the "leatherized" finish on those parts where it makes no sense, because apart from the looks I think this camera could be a real hit. A metal housing would be too much to wish for, I am afraid ... ?

Fujifilm is late....I do not think the new canon 5d mark3 and sony NEX, A77 will leave much more space in the market for Fujifilm. Sony just anounced A900 had been discontinued, so the new placement sould be coming soon, and there was a message about Canon leaked out that new canon DSLR will be out. well, good luck .....fujifilm

Put on it tiltable LCD (like nikon d5000, sony nex7), square (1:1or 6:6) aspect ratio in RAW and it will be THE new big thing (a true mini-hassie or mini-rollei with wideangle and superzoom....). It should be what myself and a lot of people are waiting for a lot of time ....

People have been asking for a superzoom with a larger sensor for some time. I have been looking to upgrade my Panasonic FZ18 but all the cameras that come close are 1/2.3" sensor. If this has the IQ and the feature set to match then This will become my choice. 12 Mp not too much. Big but OK for me so long as I don't have to carry an additional kit bag (lenses, flash etc.). Don't like the manual zoom because I prefer one hand operation but that's just me. Will wait to see specifications.

Some say "You can not compare X-S1 with the other new superzooms on the market" and maybe thats a fair statement. But that also means that Fujifilm has (re)created a new segment where the X-S1 will stand alone :-)

This camera still falls into the P&S superzoom category as that is typically defined as fixed lens cameras with double-digit zoom range with auto focus/exposure. Just because it has a bigger sensor doesn't make it a new market segment - it will still compete primarily with the FZ150, SX40HV, HV100X, etc. when it launches. Gladly, it will also compete with M4/3, NEX, and some dSLRs if it lives up to the hype. :)

I guess the X-S1, with a small sensor, is the same size as the Panasonic G 3 with an micro 4/3 sensor, so why even think about it.I like the Fuji X 10 for its smaller size and the fast lens for street photography, having a leicastyle viewfinder is the biggest plus for me.

I am still looking for the perfect back up camera for my Nikon Dslr, I checked out Panasonic. Olympus and Sony. so far Sony Nex has the best manual focus system when using Nikon lenses in manual mode.

I still hope one day there will be the perfect light camera out for my project ''Childhood Memories''. Have a look at: http://www.gofundme.com/6n2tk

Why think of it? Here's why: the X-S1 will allow perhaps a 28mm to 728mm equivalent zoom range with a single lens, with a decent F2.8 aperture at the wide end. The 600mm equivalent m4/3 telephoto lens is slower, costs a heap, and you need another expensive lens to shoot wide. The 2/3" sensor will beat the 1/2.3" sensors standard for competing super zoom models. The X-S1 is about the size of a small DSLR, but a fast DSLR lens over 250mm can cost a fortune and be as inconvenient as an RPG launcher.

I hope Fuji will not follow megapixel race, but instead of that really will cut down noise levels with fewer MP. At least give the choice to customers to those whose main objective is cropping and to those which want smaller file size (faster capture, faster post-processing, faster file transfer, saving memory space) and less noise instead.

That ugly rubber around the lens looks like it was re-used from a $50 spotting scope or maybe just a cut and fit strip (seam hidden). I suspect the lens is a mock-up, even if the camera is a prototype.

That ugly rubber around the lens looks like it was re-used from a $50 spotting scope or maybe just a cut and fit strip (seam hidden). I suspect the lens is a mock-up, even if the camera is a prototype.

Ribbing on the zoom lens (and the size/look too). The body has evolved (better sloping; more rounded) but the small basic features (two dials on RHS, a couple of buttons; Pentaprism-oid flash unit with EVF behind, etc) look very similar.

X-S1 looks quite ugly, but 624mm at f5.3 is pretty impressive number, especially if it will be decent lens.. It looks like bad plastic toy, but if they manage to put something good inside, no prob in using that.

I had a sold the 100fs, one of the worst cameras I have ever owned. Terrible CA, bad controls and the only camera that would not retain setting when turned off. I would think really hard before buying another Fuji camera.

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